Tom Venesky
Times Leader
Wapwallopen, PA, United States
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Past articles by Tom:
From recycling bin to the landfill?
On the surface, single stream recycling offers the ultimate convenience to consumers who want to do their part to help planet Earth.Water bottles, newspaper, aluminum cans — single stream acts as a… → Read More
‘Duck Dynasty’ star gets call from Trump
HARRISBURG — While “Duck Dynasty” star Phil Robertson was traveling from New York City to Harrisburg on Wednesday, he received a phone call from someone who just finished addressing the nation. → Read More
VENESKY: Bald eagle numbers continue to soar in Pennsylvania
VENESKY: Since the bald eagle was removed from the state’s list of threatened species, the raptors have continued to increase in Pennsylvania. → Read More
Lyme expert: Don’t let fear of disease keep you inside
Lyme expert: Don’t let fear of disease keep you inside on Times Leader | For the last seven years, Pennsylvania has led the nation in confirmed cases of Lyme disease.There were 12,000 new cases alone in 2016, and the black-legged tick that transmits the disease continues to thrive.But Michele… → Read More
Fish Commission boss offers grim financial outlook during local visit
When Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission executive director John Arway put the blame solely on legislators for the cuts that his agency will have to make, he didn’t have to look far for a response.Arway stopped by Luzerne County Community College on Thursday to participate in a… → Read More
Swimmer attacked by river otter in lake at Bear Creek Village
A woman swimming in the lake at Bear Creek Village was the victim of an attack so rare that wildlife officials aren’t certain on a cause. She was swimming in the lake on the evening of Aug. 17 when she was bitten three times on the legs by a river otter, according to Game Commission … → Read More
Harris Pond in Sweet Valley being re-filled after dam checks out OK
Harris Pond will continue to exist. The popular Luzerne County fishing spot, which is located in Sweet Valley and owned by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, had its water level reduced by two feet on Aug. 21 after the discovery of a sinkhole on the dam breast. The sinkhole was found during a routine … → Read More
Dispute erupts over gas pipeline plans that would demolish Dallas Twp. barn
DALLAS TWP. — For more than a century, the timber-frame bank barn on Dale Wilkie’s farm has withstood anything Mother Nature could throw at it. Snow, rain, the destructive forces of wind. But now it appears the barn won’t be able to survive a manmade situation. The Atlantic Sunrise natural-gas pipeline is set to traverse … → Read More
Group raising funds for Pennsylvania conservation history museum
TROY, BRADFORD COUNTY — Bill Bowers and Charlie Fox were at an estate auction several years ago when they witnessed history being sold. And lost. Bowers, who is a retired Wildlife Conservation Officer, and Fox, who represents the northcentral region on the Pennsylvania Game Commission board, watched as old PGC memorabilia was auctioned off to … → Read More
Project stabilizes Solomon Creek in Ashley
ASHLEY — Before improvements could be added to a section of Solomon Creek that flows through the Ashley Borough Park, a few things had to be removed. Nine check dams — rows of stones piled across the creek — and one concrete dam were taken out of the water, along with the years of sediment … → Read More
Construction begins on new Game Commission headquarters in Dallas
DALLAS — It’s been 56 years since the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Northeast Region had a new headquarters. That won’t be the case much longer. The Game Commission broke ground last month for a new regional office that is expected to be completed by next fall. The two-story building will total 15,500 square feet and will … → Read More
Millions could be owed to struggling Game Commission in dispute with mining company
For a cash-strapped agency, every dollar counts. But when it comes to millions of dollars, that sum could go a long way toward helping an agency stay in business. That’s how much could be owed to the Pennsylvania Game Commission in past mining leases, according to board member Dave Putnam. The Game Commission, a Harrisburg-based … → Read More
Outdoors with Tom Venesky: Time to shed light on PGC appointment process
When Sen. Lisa Baker and 14 of her colleagues voted against Gov. Tom Wolf’s pick to represent the northeast region on the Pennsylvania Game Commission board, it shed light on a problem with the process. Commissioners for the PGC board are nominated by the governor for confirmation by the state Senate, which is done through … → Read More
Baker, other senators oppose Dupont man for Game Commission seat
It took nearly two years to fill the vacant board seat representing the Northeast Region on the Pennsylvania Game Commission, but an unprecedented 15 state senators still voted against the confirmation. The state Senate voted 34-15 Tuesday to confirm Dupont resident Stanley Knick Jr., who was nominated by Gov. Tom Wolf. Commissioners on the eight-member … → Read More
Outdoors with Tom Venesky: Anglers may have to expect fewer stocked trout
It seems ironic that financial issues could cause a state agency to make cuts to the very program that’s largely responsible for keeping it in business. But that’s what the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission is preparing to do as the agency endures a 12th year without a license fee increase. For years, both the … → Read More
King’s men’s ice hockey announces schedule for inaugural season
WILKES-BARRE — It’s been almost a year since Stephen Mallaro was tabbed as the first head coach of the King’s College men’s ice hockey team. Now, Mallaro is building a staff, has recruited a team of 25 players and on Thursday, he found out when and where his team will play. King’s announced the completion … → Read More
Area veterans spend a day in fly fishing ‘paradise’
WEATHERLY — Despite a light rain and a dark sky threatening to bring more, Jose Ortiz wasn’t deterred. Standing on the banks of Quakake Creek, the Army veteran made repetitive casts with his fly rod, tossing the line with precision. Ortiz hoped to catch one of the 100 brown trout stocked in the stream by … → Read More
Area bass tournaments take to the lakes, Susquehanna River
Duke Dalley and his grandson, Tyler Dalley, 14, renewed a tradition on Wednesday when they set up their table at the boat launch on Harveys Lake. At the same time at Nesbitt Park in Kingston, another tradition carried on as dozens of trucks with boats in tow pulled up to the Susquehanna River. Bass tournament … → Read More
PFBC sees increase in fatalities on the water
SLOCUM TWP. — The summer boating season has gotten off to a tragic start. With the peak season for boating activity just getting underway, there have already been eight boating-related fatalities across the state. Considering the average number of fatalities over the last 10 years is 11.9 annually and the bulk of summer still to … → Read More
Outdoors with Tom Venesky: A murky future for the Delaware River
Pennsylvania is blessed with three rivers that, when it comes to trout fishing, are equal to or better than any in the northeast. And trout anglers in northeastern Pennsylvania are fortunate that the Lehigh, Lackawaxen and Delaware rivers are all within an easy drive. While the three trout-fishing meccas are thriving right now, one faces … → Read More